Kia ora koutou and welcome back to the new school year. I hope the summer was relaxing and enjoyable for our Year 13 rangatahi and whānau. Whatever you got up to, I hope there was time to stop and breathe and enjoy some family time in whatever form that takes.

It has been great to see the Year 13 students return to school with such enthusiasm and energy and I am looking forward to continuing the journey with these young people as they enter their final year of high school. It is amazing, and a little frightening, to see the year group return as Year 13 students and think back to the nervous young Year 9s that started here four years ago. Being able to watch them grow and develop as individuals, seeing them stumble and pick themselves up, and witnessing their transformation, has truly been a pleasure and an honour. I am so proud of them as a group and the obstacles they have overcome to reach this stage. It definitely has not always been smooth sailing, but their perseverance, their resilience, and their overall compassion and kindness has always been humbling to behold. At our recent powhiri to welcome our new Year 9 students, it was fantastic to see out Year 13 peer leaders step up and play such an important and supportive role.

A huge congratulations to Maria Laurie, who has been accepted onto the Kiwi MTB Collective international team, which means she gets to travel with the team to Europe and represent Aotearoa on the world circuit of mountain bike racing! Our amazing rowers, Oscar Clatworthy, Sam Clelland and James Martin were impressive in the recent South Island Club Champs, winning gold in the Men’s U19 quad. This is a great result leading up to Maadi Cup later this term. Our talented surf lifesavers, Natasha MacGibbon and Brooke Goldsmith also continued their run of success, coming back from the Eastern Regional Surf Lifesaving champs held in the North Island with an impressive array of medals. They are now preparing for the canterbury Championships and then Nationals.

Being a Year 13 student here at high school comes with extra privilege and responsibility. My challenge to all the Year 13 students this year is to make the most of this final year, push yourselves outside your comfort zone, and continue to be role models and mentors for our younger students. Never underestimate how much impact your actions, attitude and demeanour contribute to the overall vibe of the school.

I am proud of this year group and of all their progress and success over the last four years. I am excited to see what 2023 brings and am looking forward to another busy and exciting year.

Noho ora mai,

Brett Cox
Year 13 Head of School